Food is Fuel

I got home a little early from work and had some time before my run.  I was a little hungry and I usually have a banana or some nuts before a run.  However, I decided to indulge on some cookies and leftover Valentine chocolates and it turns out that isn't exactly the best pre-workout snack.

I've never felt so sluggish and bloated.  Every minute and every mile was a struggle to push through and I had to call it quits after only 3 miles because I was getting nauseated.  I don't think I enjoyed any moment of that run.  I had just ran the day before so I wasn't out of shape or incredibly sore.  It got me thinking, what is going on!?!

'Could a few pieces of chocolates and cookies really have thrown me in such a funk?  Is this what people on a non-healthy diet feel like when they run? because this sucks!'

So much of being healthy and fit has to do with what you fuel your body with.  If you want to body to perform its best, you have to feed it with the best fuel.  The key is to use nutrient rich natural ingredients to keep you full longer and more active. Also a common misconception is that eating healthy food somehow cancels out all that sugary junk food which is sad to say not the case.

Below is a healthy recipe to fuel all day long full of nutrients and energy.  Makes about 4 servings.

Black Beans and Brown Rice

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 215 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 478 Calories from Fat 109

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 12.1g 19%

Saturated Fat 2.2g 11%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 5mg 2%

Sodium 699mg 29%

Total Carbohydrates 81.6g 27%

Dietary Fiber 6.2g 25%

Sugars 2.3g

Protein 11.1g

Vitamin A 4% • Vitamin C 66% Calcium 7% • Iron 21%

Nutrition Grade B+

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Ingredients

1 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Ground black pepper

1 Tbsp Ground Cumin

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 can drained black beans

1/2 cup sliced white mushrooms

2 cups of brown rice

2 Quarts Chicken Stock
2-3 Bell peppers(Green/Red/Yellow) about 1-2 cups

1 Small Onion

2-3 Turkey Sausage Links(half pound)

Directions

Saute the veggies in a large pan until peppers are softened.

Cook the rice per instructions but use the chicken stock instead of water. Dice the bell pepper and onion into half inch cubes. In a medium pan on medium heat, brown the turkey sausage until center is browned, while flipping the sausages every few minutes so that it cooks evenly.  Remove the sausage from pan and set aside to cool and then cut the sausage into half inch slices, if you slice it right away all the juices will flow out.  In a large pan, saute  on medium heat the onions and mushrooms in the olive oil for a few minutes until the onion are transparent.  Add in the diced bell pepper and black beans.  Season with salt, pepper and cumin.  When the bell peppers have softened a just bit, add in the cooked rice and mix thoroughly. Add some chopped fresh parsley on top and serve.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Takes about an hour including prep time.